jAY, STRATEGIST / NON-PROFIT PARTNERS LIASON
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
My Favorite travel destination: Tough one! Fukuoka, Japan because of all the people and relationships there (yes, the food, too!)
One of my most memorable meals: Tough one again! Scrambled eggs and rice with a boatload of Thai chilis in fish sauce made by ZOE staff for the students enroute to a remote village for an event. (I snuck out and asked to eat what the students were eating and was granted a spare meal…!)
Favorite ARIA moment: Lots but seeing Kolby achieve and attain various awards for her leadership over the years.
“As always, it’s hard to believe time flies by so very quickly. Starting a small business is a mixture of blood, sweat and tears as they say. Recalling our humble beginnings make me at once laugh and cry out of amazement, entertainment and gratitude for the blessings we’ve been shown in both surviving and thriving often in spite of ourselves and difficult circumstances. We have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful and gifted people. But for me, the most treasured moments have been found in the most seemingly unexpected places. Spending time with families and children in the slums of Manila and in extremely remote areas of Thailand and beyond, we have worked with inspiring leaders of non profits and churches who have committed their lives to help children in need. And those very children, seeing their joy for life despite their difficult circumstances--that, for me, is the quickest way to reexamine and recalibrate my level of humility and gratitude in life.
It has all been a privilege and an honor. All fourteen years thus far.”
